How to properly color a Y-block?

Well, here's the deal, I've asked a bunch of sources, including Ford's Historical Research area, and no one can give me DEFINITIVE color info for the y-blocks from '54 - '64. Last night, I was reading,
"The Ford Y-Block: How to Repair and Rebuild the 1954-62 Ford Ohv V-8",
and finally stumbled on a basic record on the color schemes of the engines and components. Here's what I know:

I have a '59 292 to stick in my '60 Effie. Imagine THAT color scheme in a Goldenrod Yellow truck! Anyways, the book didn't pick up '60 - '64. After looking through lists of casting IDs, some blocks are "car/truck" and some are "truck only". That makes sense, the truck onlys were prob the beefier one for the bigger trucks. I'm only concerned with the Light Dutys. Here are my questions to fill in the blanks:

1. What were the proper finishes for the '60 - '64 Ys?
2. For '59, what's the proper color of "blue" for the block?
3. I'm assuming the proper red color is the "Thunderbird Red", which I
have seen as orangish-red?
4. I have seen people with a '56 Y in trucks with a yellow block, silver valve
covers and black or silver air cleaner. According to the reading, this isn't
correct. Huh?
I am not researching ALL Ys (Mercury and Lincoln), just the Fords between '54 - '64.Hopefully, someone has documented facts on this info.

One thing I do know for sure, The 1959 292's in trucks had black blocks, blue valve covers (lighter than Ford Corporate Blue), orangeish-red intakes, black air cleaner. Both my '59's were colored this scheme. One was owned since the early '60's, the other has 20,000 plus original miles on it.

I, too have been wanting to find out the official color (including the color name) of both the 55 Customline 272 and 64 F100 292. Just saying "red" narrows it down some, but still leaves a lot of guessing to get the desired results. Does anyone know the color names, other than "red"?
thanks,

Shane, I have a factory ford color film that I'm trying to find a projector for. It has under hood shots!

Ken, not try to start anything here, However, I've never seen any blue on a ford motor earlier than '65.

1957 had yellow block, intake heads, with a silver valve covers.
1958, probably something similar.
1959 I've seen a bunch of colors, including red air cleaners quite often.
1960 black block, heads, intake, with red valve covers and black air cleaner These are not etched in stone but I feel somewhat cofident in my findings. -4speed

Thanks Bubba - that's what I figured. A lot of times, I see oil pans shot black. I will keep that in my notes when I publish the well-researched and comprehensive "How to finish your y-block like it's 1959!"

Andrew, I think you're breathin' too many of them fumes from the tire factory! I remember you saying this before, and took it as fact, until Ken muddied the water with his "black block, red intake and air cleaner, blue valve covers" comment. But when I read that book the other night, which was copyrighted in the mid '80s I think..............I'm not so sure anymore.
Guess we'll have to wait to run that beautiful engine footage!

You might also wish to consult: "The Ford Y-Block--Origin-Maintenance-Rebuild" by James Eickman. (Osceolq, Wisconsin: Motorbooks International), pp.44-45. Too, you may want to read the "Chilton's Auto Repair Manual, 1954-1963, p.342.

In 1958, the Y-block was used in Thunderbirds. However, it was NOT the PREFERRED T-bird engine. The "Thunderbird" graphics was, as was posted, deleted from Y-block decalage; but, a Y still could be had in one...engine code C.

Kool. The more info that comes in on this thread, the more I will be able to compile. Hopefully, everybody sticks with something pertaining to the original request. So far, everyone has!

Do those references tell you color schemes? At least the other Y-block rebuild book. Where do you find that one? Amazon doesn't list it.....I'll nose around tho' thanks for that reference!

Here's your color schemes

1954 f100 239 = red block with aregent siver valve covers with black air cleaner, (but take note!) The 54 fords in 1954 if they used the lincoln special order 317 used a yellow block with aregenys silver valve covers and so would the f600 on up truck for that year.

1955 Yblock used a red block and black valve covers

1956 Y block used a red block with black valve covers

1957 Y block used a red block with black covers

1958 used a yellow block on the 223 6 cylinder (but take note), on the 1958 Yblock, they used a red block with black valve covers
1959 was same as 1958
1960 to 1963 used a red block and a red valve covers with the valve covers using the punch press FORD on them

You've seen my 56 and I am 100% FOR SURE that the 56's were yellow just as mine is. The book you refered to is using cars as the examples. and many of the color facts arent what the trucks used. I know this from 20 yrs of experience with truck y blocks.

Kevin Bigwin

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"Some trucks must die for other trucks to live"......... Kevin

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